SANA'A: The US embassy in Yemen called on opposition groups Saturday to refrain from “provocative action” and talk to the government following large street protests in the impoverished Arab country. Tens of thousands of Yemenis took part in peaceful protests for and against the government Thursday during an opposition-led “Day of Rage”, a day after President Ali Abdullah Saleh offered to step down in 2013. “We strongly urge the opposition parties to avoid provocative actions and respond constructively to President Saleh's initiative to resolve differences through dialogue and negotiation,” the US embassy said on its website. “We call on all parties to continue the national dialogue and return to the negotiating table to reach an agreement that will be welcomed by, and best serve, the Yemeni people.” The opposition drew more than 20,000 people in Sanaa, the biggest crowd since a wave of demonstrations hit the poor Arabian Peninsula state two weeks ago, inspired by protests that toppled Tunisia's ruler and threaten Egypt's president. Saleh, a shrewd political survivor, has backed out of previous promises to step aside.
